The Dayton Daily News: Sheriff: Early education cuts crime

By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer
4:47 PM Thursday, May 5, 2011

Read the full story at the Dayton Daily News.

Greene County Sheriff Gene Fischer recently read to preschool children, but his message was meant for adults in this age of school budget concerns.

Fischer was asked by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Ohio to speak to students at Fairborn’s Creative World of Learning preschool to raise awareness about educational and economic benefits of high-quality prekindergarten.

On its website, Fight Crime has extensive research showing that children who attend high-quality early childhood education are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to commit crimes as adults.

Plus, Fischer said positive exposure to officers in uniform is a plus.

“Law enforcement needs to develop relationships with kids,” Fischer said. “If this helps do that, then that’s important.”